The government of Cross River State has issued a ban on the operations of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) on roads throughout the state. This decision was revealed by Governor Bassey Otu on Saturday in Calabar, where he stated that their functions will be limited to office work.
The governor's announcement comes after significant protests from commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators who voiced their grievances about elevated ticket prices, harsh fines, and purported harassment from enforcement teams.
Following consultations with important stakeholders in the transportation sector, Governor Otu stated that additional measures would be enacted. According to Linus Obogo, the governor’s spokesperson, the new policy seeks to alleviate the financial pressures on drivers and restore order within the state’s transportation framework.
Effective from March 9, the governor detailed modifications which include a reduction of the daily ticket fee from ₦850 to ₦500, and lowering penalties for failing to obtain a ticket to ₦10,000. Additionally, all fines related to traffic infractions will be halved and must be paid into designated Cross River Government accounts.
For commercial tricycle operators, the daily ticket cost will also decrease from ₦1,200 to ₦500. However, operations for commercial tricycles will end at 6 p.m. nightly, with a complete ban on night operations.
Governor Otu emphasized the importance of enforcing these changes, requiring that enforcement officers wear official uniforms and carry verifiable ID. He has also directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency to focus solely on their statutory responsibilities regarding traffic management.
Furthermore, he indicated that purchasing tickets on weekends and public holidays will no longer be necessary for commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders. These measures are anticipated to reduce financial burdens and enhance regulatory compliance in the state’s transport system.
Some commercial drivers voiced concerns to the News Agency of Nigeria that the announcements did not adequately address issues such as the arbitrary “no parking order” still enforced by the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency. Johnson Ade, a driver in Calabar, suggested an official document detailing traffic violations and specific fines to prevent misuse of this directive by unscrupulous individuals pretending to be traffic officials.
Dennis, the metropolitan chair of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, stated that an immediate meeting would be convened to discuss the governor's pronouncement further. This current action by the state follows a wave of protests that impacted all forms of transport ticketing in the state.
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